Letters -- Published Feb. 14, 2013

Recently, one of your veteran conservative contributors blasted the Affordable Care Law (upheld by the Supreme Court) and called for relying only on the free market for health needs.

Recently, one of your veteran conservative contributors blasted the Affordable Care Law (upheld by the Supreme Court) and called for relying only on the free market for health needs.

That has proven itself to be very costly for most of us, and often inefficient. It lacks the low administrative costs of Medicare, for example. Other advanced nations have variations of national health insurance, often with a combination of public and regulated private insurance. Their health outcomes are better than ours. We have a market economy; we don't require a market society, with its growing inequalities.

On another subject: Among defense secretary nominee Chuck Hagel's "sins" is some criticism of Israel, which I, as an American Jew, share. Until 1982, when Israel's army stood by in Beirut while Lebanese Christian militias murdered hundreds of Palestinian civilians in refugee camps, I had believed Israel was always right. No longer. The occupation and the widening "original sin" of the settlements have contributed, sadly, to my changing thoughts. Despite the relatively heartening election results there, Israel, somewhat like us, is slowly eroding its democracy. We shall see.

So while I don't agree with much of Hagel's record, I see him on key issues as a very good nominee. It would be nice to have a decorated combat vet who knows what war is heading defense and not being enthralled to the military-industrial complex that Dwight Eisenhower singled out many years ago.

Paul Hauben

Stockton

I was happy to hear our fire department will get new vehicles. Can you imagine the wear and tear on the engines, transmissions and brakes on these vehicles that run 24/7?

I have one suggestion: Stop sending these brave men out in these trucks, designed to fight fires, every time some addict overdoses. I don't mind paying for fire trucks to fight fires. Another type of vehicle and approach (paramedics) would save wear and tear on trucks and firemen.

My antique fireman's helmet is off to all you brave men.

Craig Roley

Stockton

I don't know about others, but I am tired of these escalating gas prices (they have gone up 20 to 30 cents per gallon within a week), and I would venture to say that most of us are outraged and appalled because none of the people who are supposed to look out for our interests are saying or doing anything.

These oil companies are just gouging the public with these excessive gas prices. There is no doubt that at the end of this quarter as in previous ones they will report billions of dollars in profits.

This must stop. I don't see how they can continue to justify their actions, particularly when our nation is attempting to get back on its feet. This must stop.

Jimmie Thomas

Stockton

I've lived in the Delta most of my life, and I've become irritated with all the studies that have cost the taxpayers large amounts of money that have accomplished nothing to resolve the real problem that exists in our rivers.

How many times does the Reclamation District have to widen or raise its levees to protect property that might become a fix for just a few more years. The problem is the bottom of the rivers.

The silt and mud in the Mokelumne River west of Interstate 5 has 10 to 15 feet of build-up since it was dredged in the late 1940s and early 1950s. During the high water runoff, all rivers are running with dirty water that is settling silt and mud throughout the Delta, reducing the capacity of water to flow.

Years ago at a certain time of the year, dredges worked day and night. If dredging isn't started, property and possible loss of lives will occur over and over as river beds rise. Dino Cortopassi has spent time and money trying to educate the public and local, state and federal agencies, and they aren't listening to the facts.

Arlind Fontes

Thornton

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